Endangered Species Day Youth Art Contest accepting entries

In celebration of the eighth annual Endangered Species Day, celebrated nationally May 17 this year, K-12 students are eligible to participate in the Endangered Species Day Youth Art Contest.

Endangered Species Day recognizes conservation efforts to help endangered species across the nation.

Entries are split into four categories: kindgergarten to second grade, third to fifth grades, sixth to eighth grades and ninth to 12th grades. A panel of artists, photographers and conservationists will choose winners.

Forty semifinalists will be selected from thousands of entries and will receive plaques and art supply gift packs. The grand-prize winner will have his or her name engraved on a special trophy and receive a round-trip flight to Washington, D.C., to attend a reception in May. The grand-prize winner also will receive art supplies and a special art lesson via Skype from renowned marine life artist “Wyland.”